Top Picks
Guides
What’s on
Where to go
See all

Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

Creative Tourist
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre Copyright Geoff Wynne and licensed for reuse

The First Light Pavilion, a huge new addition to Jodrell Bank, has turned the already-impressive site into a must-see national heritage destination, fitting for a world leader in the history of astronomy.

A Unesco World Heritage Site, Jodrell Bank is home to the iconic Lovell Telescope, the largest the world had ever seen when it was completed in 1957. It’s still the third biggest telescope of its kind today and continues to search the stars, helping humanity pick away at the mysteries of our universe.

As well as being a site of vital scientific research – and a home to the awesome Bluedot Festival –  the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre is a nationally significant visitor attraction, inspiring people of all ages to want to learn more about radio astronomy – something which revolutionised our understanding of the universe. And thanks to the all-new First Light Pavilion, more people than ever are flocking to Jodrell Bank to do just that.

The transformative First Light Project unlocks the potential of Jodrell Bank’s unique and inspiring history, creating a new must-see national heritage destination and offering spectacular new visitor facilities that cater to all ages.

The centrepiece of the project is the First Light Pavilion, a stunning new building constructed in the gardens of Jodrell Bank. The main structure of the pavilion, designed by the internationally-acclaimed architects HASSELL Studio, is a concrete dome – the largest in Europe – which has been buried and seeded to appear as a hill in the arboretum of the observatory. Inside is a new gallery dedicated to telling the story of Jodrell Bank, an immersive projection space and auditorium, and an education hub and cafe.

The gallery includes displays, objects and artefacts from the site’s rich history and incorporates the fabric of the original 1957 surface of the Lovell Telescope. Archive footage and large-scale projections animate the exhibition and bring the past to life. A beautiful 130 seat auditorium also feature, serving as a unique venue for events, evening lectures, live link-ups, planetarium shows and workshops.

Jodrell Bank Discovery CentreMacclesfieldSK11 9DL View map
Telephone: 01477 571 766 Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Saturday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday10:00am - 5:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

Great Expectations at Quarry Bank
TheatreCheshire
Great Expectations at Quarry Bank

From the misty marshes of Kent to the dusty streets of London, Quantum Theatre bring a thrilling version of Dickens’s most popular novel.

from £12.00
Woman in yoga pose
ActivityManchester
Yoga Rave at Waterside Arts

Join qualified yoga teacher Hebe Reilly, and disco, funk & house DJ Misscothèque, for a morning yoga rave jam-packed with your fave tracks. Yoga Rave is a fun fusion of guided floor-based yoga moves and stretches (with accessible options available), free-style movement and dancing to a live DJ, before we come back together for a guided cool down and relaxation.

from £10.00
Refract Festival 2024 at Waterside
Until
FestivalsSale
Refract 24 at Waterside

Back for 2024, Trafford’s flagship arts festival returns to Waterside for six days of experiential performance and cultural delight.

–
FamiliesManchester
PLAYTIME at The Whitworth

Come rain or shine, there’s plenty for little ones to enjoy throughout August with The Whitworth’s PLAYTIME programme of free family fun.

free entry
See all events

Where to go near Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

Cheshire
Tourist Attraction
Nether Alderley Mill

Eateries, shops and toilet facilities can be found at nearby National Trust site Quarry Bank, located approximately 7 miles away. Alternatively, Nether Alderley Mill is also approximately 1.4 miles from the high street of Alderley Edge which has a range of cafes, restaurants and shops.
Yu Alderley Edge

High-end Chinese restaurant that combines traditional Cantonese cooking and modern ideas. Based in Alderley Edge.

Alderley Edge
Restaurant
Les Deux Pizza Bar

Charming independent pizza and cocktail bar in Alderley Edge, that prides itself on only using the freshest ingredients.

Cheshire
Hotel
The Courthouse Cheshire

A one-of-a-kind hotel experience in Knutsford, this beautiful dog-friendly venue is – as you may have already guessed – a renovated court house, with plenty of original fixtures and fittings.

Cheshire
Restaurant
Barristers Restaurant & Bar

The in-house restaurant for The Courthouse in Knutsford, serves high-end but pleasingly traditional food with a fantastic range of drinks for the thirsty traveller.

Cheshire House Bar and Grill
Cheshire
Restaurant
Cheshire House Bar and Grill

Based in the heart of Knutsford, Cheshire House Bar and Grill combines a beautiful location with top-level cuisine and a superb range of drinks.
Bar or Pub
The Church Inn, Mobberley

This is one of our favourite cosy pubs: not far from Manchester, The Church Inn is Grade II-listed and dates back to the 18th-century.

Danes Moss Nature Reserve
Macclesfield
Park
Danes Moss Nature Reserve

Danes Moss near Macclesfield is an oasis of lowland raised bog, one of the scarcest and most threatened habitats in the UK. The open areas of the bog are covered with cotton grass, cross-leaved heath and at least six species of sphagnum moss.

Macclesfield
Museum
West Park Museum

West Park Museum was purpose built to house the Egyptian collections of Victorian explorer Marianne Brocklehurst, daughter of the Macclesfield mill owner, John Brocklehurst.

Macclesfield
Restaurant
Picturedrome

Macclesfield’s first ever cinema re-imagined as a gourmet food hall by the minds behind Altrincham Market, Manchester’s Mackie Mayor.

See all places

Cheshire District Guides

Crewe Hall
Things to do in Crewe

A selection of cultural venues, rural sights, bars, pubs and eateries, gathered to showcase the highlights of Crewe’s budding local scene.
Things to do in Macclesfield: Macclesfield Treacle Market
Things to do in Macclesfield

Sat on the edge of the Peak District National Park, this former silk town combines contemporary culture, food, and drink with spectacular landscapes.
Things to Do in Chester

Chester is both historic and modern. Bustling and peaceful. Packed with enough historical landmarks and culture to keep you busy, but small enough to still get everywhere on foot.
Chester Townhouse hotel
Hotels in Chester

To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to hotels in Chester.

Restaurants in Chester

One of the most beautiful city’s in the North, Chester is a wonderful historic city, with a wealth of high-end restaurants.

Culture Guides

Rebecca Watson author photo
Literature Events in Manchester and the North

In between working out, then working through, your holiday reading pile this summer, find inspiration for your next bookish acquisitions from our selection of live events and exhibitions.